WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

NI Komplete 14 : Kontakt 7, iZotope Ozone 10 and Plugin Alliance products join music software mega-bundle.

Native Instruments has released a major update to its flagship production suite, KOMPLETE 14. The just-released Komplete 14 faces some stiff competition with more companies now offering their own cost-effective collections, and subscription services also vying for our attention.

Looks like, Native Instruments is pinning its hopes on Kontakt 7, a new version of the venerable software sampler, and the inclusion of products from some of its Soundwide partners – iZotope and Plugin Alliance.

The Standard version of  iZotope’s new Ozone 10 mastering suite, for example, is included in the Standard, Ultimate and Collector’s Edition versions of Komplete 14, assists in putting the finishing touches on any production.

More new additions come via an array of synths and effects from Plugin Alliance and Brainworx, as well as the CHOIR: OMNIA sample library, included in the KOMPLETE 14 COLLECTOR’S EDITION.

KOMPLETE 14 is available in four different sizes – SELECT, STANDARD, ULTIMATE, and COLLECTOR’S EDITION, the last being a comprehensive offering of 145+ instruments, 100+ Expansions, and over 135,000 sounds.

In addition, you’ll get the granular and cinematic Ashlight, the dramatic Action Strings 2, the organic sample and sequencing power of Sequis and new Session Guitarist and Bassist instruments. NI’s Play Series titles and Playbox are included.

KONTAKT 7 is the next evolution of the world’s favourite sampler. Included with KOMPLETE 14 STANDARD and above. New features will include a new HiDPI browsing experience, an overhauled factory library, new creative effects, and under-the-hood audio improvements.

KOMPLETE 14 is available now, while KONTAKT 7 and CHOIR: OMNIA will be available as separate products from October 4th, 2022, all at the Native Instruments online shop.

All four versions of Komplete 14 are available now, with prices as follows: Select, $199/£179; Standard, $599/£539; Ultimate, $1,199/£1,079; Collector’s Edition, $1,799/£1,619. Upgrade prices for existing users are also being offered. Kontakt 7, $299/£269

To find out more about the KOMPLETE 14 suite, check out the full product descriptions on the Native Instruments site and shop, or follow along with Red Means Recording as he explores all of the latest additions in depth.

Universal Audio UAD Spark now runs on PC: native VST versions of UA’s plugins for your Windows DAW. And $20 a month gets you classic Moog, Neve, API, Lexicon and Studer gear with no need for additional UA hardware.

Universal Audio has fulfilled its promise to bring its UAD Spark native plugin subscription service to Windows community. So, now PC users can access a selection of the company’s best-loved instruments and effects in their DAW without any additional UA hardware. Launched in March 2022, Spark was previously exclusive to macOS.

All you have to do is to pay $20 monthly subscription fee for the privilege (or $150 a year) but, there is a 14-day trial option so you can try before you buy. Owners of UA’s Volt USB audio interfaces receive an extended 30-day trial, and if you already have a perpetual license for any of the Spark plugins, you will receive the native version for free.

Spark contains virtual versions of some of the greatest pieces of hardware in music technology history, like the Minimoog synth, the API 2500, UA 1176 and Teletronix LA-2A compressors, the Neve 1073 preamp and EQ channel strip, and the Lexicon 224 digital reverb.

“We launched the UAD Spark plug-in subscription earlier this year, bringing the authentic and inspiring sounds of classic studio and music gear to creators, with or without UA hardware,” says Bill Putnam Jr, UA’s founder and CEO. “Today, we’re thrilled to be able to extend that vision and bring professional UA sound to our Windows community as well.”

Spark now runs on Windows and Mac in VST3/AU/AAX formats. Find out more and sign up on the Universal Audio website.

Behringer today announced Victor, a new Eurorack oscillator that’s inspired by the classic Sequential Prophet VS.

And, perhaps, the classic disaster comedy film, Airplane.

The Prophet VS introduced Vector Synthesis – an approach to synthesis that lets you position four different oscillator waveshapes at the extremes of an X/Y grid, and then control the waveshape mix, using a joystick controller or other types of modulation.

What they say about Victor:

“We have succeeded to move the PRO-VS vector engine into a Eurorack module and called it the Victor.

The amazing morphing function allows the merging of different oscillators.”

Behringer says that the USB connector will let Victor be used polyphonically.

Behringer didn’t mention where the module name comes from, but readers of a certain age may recall a running gag in the classic disaster comedy film, Airplane, that plays on the word ‘vector’:

*Note: Behringer has tagged many of its recent introductions as ‘hardvaporware’, because they can’t get the components needed to put the designs into production. Due to this, details on pricing and availability are to be announced.